MXPA05011849A

MXPA05011849A - Barrier operator controller with optical limit switches.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05011849A
Application number: MXPA05011849A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Brett A Reed
Original assignee: Overhead Door Corp
Priority date: 2004-11-16
Filing date: 2005-11-04
Publication date: 2006-05-18
Also published as: US7355363B2; US7525267B2; US20080168711A1; CA2512226C; US20060113935A1; CA2512226A1

Abstract

An operator for a barrier, such as an upward acting door, includes a control unit having two optical limit switches providing output signals to a controller to effect shut-off of the operator motor when the door reaches open and closed limit positions. The limit switches preferably include LED emitter and phototransistor sensor elements and are preferably mounted on a circuit board in close proximity to a screw member which rotates in timed relation to the position of the door. Linearly movable nut members are mounted on the screw member and include or engage optical shield members which move into positions to provide respective output signals from the optical switches. The door closed optical limit switch may incorporate a pre-limit switch function to override a signal from a door bottom edge obstruction sensor.

Description

CONTROLLED BARRIER OPERATOR WITH OPTICAL LIMIT SWITCHES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Motorized garage door operators and the like have been developed that use mechanical limit switches to control the operator's engine when the door reaches the open and closed limit positions, respectively. Common door operators have also been developed with fast mechanical action type switches, where the switches are mounted on the operator's frame and in proximity with a rotating threaded shaft with one or more nut-shaped members moving in the direction linear, which are placed on it, so that they engage and operate the limit switches when the door is moving between the open and closed positions. At least two mechanical switches are generally required, a first switch that controls the operator's motor to disconnect it when the door reaches the lower limit position or closed position and a second switch that disconnects the motor when the door reaches the upper limit position or open position. Typically, in the prior art operators, the first switch is provided with multiple sets of electrical contacts or a third mechanical limit switch is used to detect the position of the door just before the fully closed condition to deactivate the sensing devices of obstruction that are mounted on the lower edge of the door preventing these devices from reversing the movement of the door just before it reaches its fully closed position. Although mechanical limit switches are widely used, these maintain certain disadvantages, which include the lack of reliability, the physical size and the need to provide electrical wiring to and from the switches. However, in accordance with the present invention the disadvantages of mechanical limit switches are overcome when a door operator controller is provided which includes the so-called limit optical switches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a door operator that includes improved limit switches of the so-called optical switch type or opto-switch that provides the signals to an operator control to indicate the open and closed limits of the position of the operator. door. The present invention also provides a door operator controller having a circuit board or board that is mounted in such a way that the door limit switches of the opto-switch type can be directly placed on the circuit board and in proximity with a mechanism to effect the operation of limit switches when the door reaches the opposite limit positions. According to one aspect of the present invention, a door operator controller includes at least two optical type limit switches, each of which can be operated to detect the position of a displaceable member, such as a nut mounted on a threaded shaft, by means of which, the shaft is directly coupled with the mechanism for controlling the movement and position of a barrier, such as a door. An improved adjustment feature of the moving or movable nut is part of the present invention. Furthermore, the invention contemplates the provision of an optical protection member that moves with the displaceable nut in one embodiment and a protection member that is engaged by a displaceable nut member just before reaching the limit position in another embodiment. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door operator with optical limit switches mounted on a printed circuit board that is located in proximity to a mechanism that correlates with the position of the garage door or the like. with opto-switch type limit switches, so that the door can be controlled to stop it in the fully open and closed positions. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a door operator controller is provided with a microcontroller and a circuit with two discrete optical limit switches of the opto-switch type. The operating characteristics of the limit switches are such that the signals coming from the opto-switch circuitry could be used as a pre-limit switch to avoid reversing the movement of the door once it has, for example, reached a substantially closed position. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a door operator is provided which includes a controller, which has a temperature sensor that monitors the ambient temperature and which provides a signal that is used to compensate for changes in the sensitivity of the Optical limit switches due to changes in the environmental temperature. Those skilled in the art will recognize the foregoing advantages and features described above of the invention along with other important aspects thereof on the basis of reading the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a rising door and door operator including the control system and the limit optical switches according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a view taken generally from line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed view showing a preferred embodiment of a rotary screw shaft and a displaceable nut mechanism and illustrating a circuit board mounted on the limit optical switches according to the invention; Figure 4 is a view taken generally from line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a door operator control unit that includes optical limit switches according to the invention; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a rotary screw shaft and a displaceable nut mechanism; Figures 7a and 7b are views taken generally from line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of one of the movable nut and optical protection assemblies for the embodiment shown in Figures 6-8; Figure 9 is a detailed perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of a control unit with limit optical switches according to the invention; and Figure 10 is a view taken generally from line 10-10 of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES In the description that follows, the same parts are indicated through the specification and the drawings with the same reference numbers, respectively. The figures of the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features could be shown in a somewhat generalized or schematic way with the interest of providing clarity and conciseness. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a movable barrier comprising a rising action gate 10 is illustrated, which could be one of several types known to those skilled in the art and is adapted to be moved between open positions. and closed on the parallel and separate guide tracks or tracks 12, one of which is shown in Figure 1. The door 10 is adapted to be moved between the open and closed positions by means of a motorized operator 14 which includes a frame 16 which can be properly positioned on the support structure, not shown, and is connected with an elongate rail 18 adapted to support a sliding member 20, Figure 2. The sliding member 20 is connected with a suitable driving member, such as a chain 22, guided around the first gear 24 that is mounted on the frame 16 and at least one second gear 26 that is mounted on the rail 1 8, as illustrated. The sliding member 20 is coupled to the door 10 by means of a suitable connection 28 in a conventional manner. The operator 14 includes a reversible electric motor 30 which is connected in a driven manner to the sprocket 24 by means of an idler shaft 32, FIG. 2, and an endless belt 34. The idler shaft 32 is connected to a drive shaft 36 by means of a transmission of endless chains 38. The gear 24 is mounted in a driven manner on the axis 36. The motor 30, the shaft 32 and the shaft 36 could be mounted on the frame 16 in a conventional manner. As shown in Figure 2, the shaft 36 includes an extension part 40 that is suitably mounted within a housing or cover 42 for a control system or control unit for the operator 14. The shaft extension 40 is also mounted in proximity to a printed circuit board 44 in an advantageous manner as will be further described in this document. The control unit or system 43, see Figure 5, for the motor 30, which includes the circuit board 44 and the shaft extension 40, can be operated to regulate the operation of the motor 30 in order to move the door 10 between the open and closed positions. As shown in Figure 1, the lower transverse edge 10a of the door 10 could be provided with the so-called obstruction sensor 11, which can be operated to detect an obstruction in the path of the door 10, in particular, to as it is moved from the open position to the closed position, whereby, the obstruction sensor 11 will make contact, at least slightly, with the floor 13, Figure 1, just before the motor 30 is being disconnected. to stop the movement of the door, once again, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the shaft extension 40 is configured as a threaded screw-like member having suitable threads 41 formed therein. The rotating screw member 40 is suitably mounted in the separate bearings 45 and 47 which are supported on the frame 16 in a conventional manner. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the shaft extension or the screw member 40 could be placed in a position other than the position described herein. The shaft extension 40 could be mounted, for example, separate from the drive train comprising the idler shaft 32, the belt 34, the chain drive 38 and the drive shaft 36 of the particular arrangement described. The shaft extension 40 could be mounted, for example, in the frame 16 and could be rotatably driven separately through a suitable direct drive mechanism or indirectly connected with the motor 30 or with the mechanism that moves the door 10. between the open and closed positions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. With additional reference to Figures 3 and 4, the shaft extension or screw member 40 can be rotated in the bearings 45 and 47 and is adapted to support the cooperating threaded nut members 50 and 52 which are mounted on the member of screw 40 to perform the linear translation movement along the same, but preventing them from rotating by means of a spring-loaded elongated bar-type locking or locking member 54 which can be engaged with both displaceable nut members 50 and 52 for avoid rotation of the same in a known way. As shown in Figure 4, the nut member 52 is provided with at least one groove that faces outward in radial direction 53, which can be operated to correspond with the locking member 54 to prevent rotation of the limb member. nut 52 although it allows the movement of linear translation thereof. The locking or locking member 54 is suitably mounted to effect pivotal movement on the frame 16 and is engaged with a torsion spring 55 elastically biasing the locking member 54 towards the slot 53 in the nut member 52 and a corresponding slot in the nut member 50. The locking member 54 can be moved out of engagement with the respective nut members 50 and 52 by holding the locking member and moving it in a counterclockwise counterclockwise direction. , which is seen in Figure 4. The nut members 50 and 52 support the opaque plate type optical protection members 50a and 52a, respectively. The protection members 50a and 52a protrude in radial direction from the axes of the screw member 40 and when the nut members 50 and 52 are locked against rotation by the locking member 54, the protection members are aligned with the members 50a and 52a. respective optical switches 58 and 60 as shown in Figures 3 and. Optical switches 58 and 60 are mounted, advantageously, on the circuit board 44 which is supported on the frame 16 in proximity to the rotating screw member 40. As shown by way of example in Figure 4, the optical switch 60 includes a suitable support member of channel shape 62 which forms a slot 64 through which the protection member 52a could be traversed in the linear direction as it travels along the screw member 40. The support member 62 is adapted to hold an emitter 66 and a suitable sensor 68, which will be described in further detail in this document. Likewise, the optical switch 58 includes a channel-shaped support member 62 that also includes the respective emission and detection members 66 and 68, see also Figure 5. The rotating screw member 40 rotates in a synchronized relationship with the position of the door 10 and in this way, the positions of the nut members 50 and 52 are also in accordance with the position of the door. Thus, as is known to those skilled in the art, the nut members 50 and 52 could be located on the screw member 40 in predetermined positions, so that, for example, when the door reaches the fully open position. , the nut member 50 and the shield 50a will move to a position between the emitter 66 and the sensor 68 of the optical switch 58 to provide a signal that can be used to disconnect the operation of the motor 30. Similarly, when the mechanism of drive for the operator 14 is rotating in the opposite direction, the nut member 52 will move in a linear direction along the screw member 40 as the shaft 36 and the screw member 40 rotate, and the nut member 52 can be placed in a predetermined position on the screw member 40, so that as the door 10 reaches the closed door position, the guard 52a is moved towards the position between the emitter 66 and the sensor 68 of the optical switch 60 to completely block the transmission of radiation from the emitter 66 to the sensor 68 in order to provide a signal that will disengage the motor 30 and prevent movement of the door 10 in a suitable closed door position. Next, with reference to Figure 5, the optical switches 58 and 60 are shown in further schematic detail and are characterized in a preferred embodiment, respectively, by an emitter 66 of the light emitting diode (LED) type and a phototransistor type sensor 68. The emitters 66 are provided with a suitable electrical signal to direct a beam of electromagnetic energy to the sensors 68, respectively. When the protections 50a and 52a are moved to a position, respectively, to block the transmission of the electromagnetic energy of the respective emitters 66, the voltage output signal changes through the phototransistor-type sensors 68. For example, when the protection 52a is not in a position to block the emission of signal from the emitter 66 to the sensor 68 of the switch 60, the phototransistor type sensor is "turned on" and a low voltage signal is detected in the circuit 70, which it includes a suitable analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion circuit 72. However, when the protection 52a blocks the light emitted from the LED 66 towards the phototransistor 68 of the switch 60, the voltage output signal of the phototransistor is it returns higher than that required by the converter 72. Obviously, the optical switch 58 operates in the same mode and takes advantage of the variable voltage signal in its analog-to-digital converter. (A / D) 74 via a conductor or circuit 76. The output signals of the converters 72 and 74 are transmitted to a microcontroller 80, which is also adapted to receive a convenient electrical signal from the sensor or obstruction sensor. of bottom edge 11 and of a temperature sensor 82 by means of a suitable control circuit 84. The temperature sensor 82 is conveniently mounted on the circuit board 44, preferably, as shown in Figure 3, and thus, it is in a relatively close proximity to the optical switches 58 and 60. In this way, because the optical switches 58 and 60 are sensitive in some way at the temperature, the sensitivity of these switches could be compensated by a temperature signal transmitted to the microcontroller 80 and, by means of the internal programming of the microcontroller, the operation of the optical switches 58 and 60 is adjusted due to changes in the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the control unit 43. The signals coming from the temperature sensor 82 and the lower edge sensor or obstruction sensor 11 could also be presented to the microcontroller 80 in direct digital form or by means of suitable circuits of conversion. The substantial numbers of the motor operated doors, such as the door 10, are provided with an obstruction sensor or the so-called lower edge sensor 11 or an equivalent device. False activation of these devices occurs in many door applications due to the requirement of a fine adjustment of the closed door position, to the vertical oscillating movement, or descending with garage floor 13, the accumulation of snow or ice or similar obstructions that interfere with the proper operation of the door in the closed position of the same. Accordingly, controllers for certain door operators often include a closed-door position limit switch that adjusts electrical contacts multiple times or a third mechanical-type switch that is activated in a door position just prior to the position fully closed, this activation signal is used to deactivate the signal coming from the edge sensor or the obstruction detector 11, so that when the door is about 2.54 or 5.08 centimeters (1 or 2 inches) from the position When closed, the operator controller will only respond to a signal from the closed door limit switch. The operating characteristics of the optical switches, such as switches 58 and 60 of the present invention could be used to provide a signal indicating that the door 10 is approaching the limit position. For example, assuming that the optical switch 60 detected when the door 10 has been moved to the closed position, the shield 52a would move, just before the fully closed door position, to a position that would begin to partially block the radiation beam emitted from the LED 66, thereby causing a change in the output signal of the corresponding phototransistor 68. In other words, a linear change voltage signal is provided to the microcontroller 80 via the driver or circuit 70 and the converter 72 which is linear in relation to the position of the shield 52a as it moves to a position that eventually completely blocks the transmission of energy from the emitter or the LED to the sensor or phototransistor. This linearly variable voltage signal could be used to provide a signal to the microcontroller 80 to ignore any signal from the obstruction detector 11 just before the microcontroller receives the full voltage signal of the optical switch 60 indicating that the door is completely closed. Alternatively, the motor 30 could be instructed by the controller 80 to continue operating for a predetermined period of time beginning with the initial change in the output signal of the phototransistor 68. Thus, the control unit 43 of the present invention , which includes the optical switch 60, could provide a double function, i.e. deactivation of the obstruction sensor or edge detector and also operation as the closed door limit switch. Still further, an additional opto-switch could be located, so that the opto-switch or optical switch 60 causes the controller 80 to ignore the signal from the sensor 11 and the additional opto-switch would provide a signal to disconnect the motor 30. Accordingly , the output signals of the optical switches 58 and 60, in particular, the switch 60, could be monitored by the microcontroller 80 by means of the converters 72 and 74 in a linear mode rather than by reading the output signals of the respective switches directly as digital signals. In other words, the circuit of the control unit 43 could carry the digital signals of the optical switches 58 and 60 directly to the microcontroller 80 or via the converters 72 and 74. In this way, a higher degree can be used of resolution to cause switch 60 to also function as the so-called pre-limit switch. In this way, the microcontroller 80 could then ignore any signal from the edge sensor or obstruction sensor 11 allowing the motor 30 to remain in operation until the fully closed position of the door which could be determined by the signal level of the door is reached. output of the switch 60 or through the operation of the motor 30 for a predetermined period of time once a signal is generated by the optical switch 60. The operation of the control unit 43 and the operator 14 is believed to be understood with speed by those skilled in the art based on the foregoing description. Obviously, the positions of the nut members 50 and 52 could be adjusted in a corresponding relationship with the open and closed positions of the door 10 in a known manner. The resolution of the closed door position with the disconnection of the operator motor could be adjusted accordingly by determining the pitch of the threads 41 and the corresponding threads in the nut members 50 and 52. Alternatively, if a The higher degree of resolution that can be obtained by changing the pitch of the thread, the screw member 40 could be moved separately, as discussed previously, through a drive mechanism that will provide the required resolution. The optical protection members 50a and 52a could have a configuration different from that shown, as well as the nut members 50 and 52. Likewise, the sensors 68 could have other shapes, such as photodarlington transistors 1 (i.e. , infrared photosensors made of plastic silicon), photodiodes or photodiode / amplifiers. The phototransistors, as described, will function properly according to the needs of the invention. Limit switches of the so-called opto-switch type 58 and 60 can be advantageously mounted on the circuit board 44 thus eliminating the requirement to mount the quick-action type switches on a chassis or other support means by means of mechanical fasteners and associated preformed wiring. Accordingly, a smaller amount of work and other manufacturing costs are experienced with the provision of a set of optical limit switch circuit boards according to the invention. The separate analog-to-digital (A / D) converters shown in the schematic view of Figure 5 could not be required depending on the capabilities of the microcontroller. For example, the microcontroller 80 could be configured to achieve the analog-to-digital conversion internally and the linear voltage signal monitoring of the optical switches could be performed by the microcontroller 80 and these signals would be compensated for by the internal programming of the microcontroller according to the signals received from the temperature sensor 82. The temperature sensor 82 could not be required to be mounted on the circuit board 44, although this is advantageous. Depending on the positions of the respective optical switches 58 and 60, a temperature sensor located in close proximity to both switches could be desirable. Next, with reference to Figures 6-8, 'another preferred embodiment of a controller with optical limit switches is illustrated. As shown in Figure 6, the modified housing 42a could be mounted on the frame 16 in a position adjacent the shaft 36 and could be adapted to support a modified rotary screw member 40a also on the separate bearings 45 and 47. The member screw 40a includes an extension portion 40b that is adapted to support the drive mechanism 90, such as a gear, chain drive or toothed belt, whereby, the screw shaft member 40a is driven in a direct synchronized relationship with the rotation of the shaft 36. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 6-8 is characterized by the separate adjustable assemblies of the displaceable nut 92 and 94, see Figure 6. Each nut assembly 92 and 94 includes a threaded nut member 93 and 95, respectively, which is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion 40c of the pivotal shaft or screw member 40a and which can be operated to move in opposite directions in response to the axis rotation in a known way. Each nut member 93 and 95 is characterized by a circular disk portion 93a and 95a which is provided with the radially spaced grooves that are spaced apart in circumferential direction 96 and 98, respectively, see also Figure 8. The nut members 93 and 95 include the respective hub portions 93b and 95b, which are adapted to support a generally circular plate or disc-shaped optical protection member 99 having an optical shield portion protruding in the radial direction 100 formed thereon and which is opposite to the protruding portion in radial direction 102, see Figures 7a and 7b. Each of the disc members 99 includes a radially projecting groove 104 formed therein. The members 99 are removably supported on the hub portions 93b and 95b of the nut assemblies 92 and 94 and are retained thereon, respectively, by the removable retaining rings 106. The embodiment of Figs. 8 further characterized by a movable restraining member 110 comprising a right-angled plate-like portion having a first leg 112, Figures 7a and 7b, and a second leg 114 extending substantially at a right angle to the leg 112. As shown in Figure 6, the locking member 110 is retained in the housing 42a by separate screw fasteners for machinery 116, see also Figures 7a and 7b, although it can be moved with respect to the fasteners 116 thanks to the coil springs 118, Figures 7a and 7b, which are jacketed or protected through the elongated portions of the stem of the respective fasteners 116 and can be engaged with the leg 112. The immobilization member 110 includes a dependent leg or tab 120 that extends at right angles to the leg 114 and that can be operated so that it is located in the slots 104 of the members 99, respectively, as shown. by way of example for nut assembly 94 in Figures 7a and 7b. The dependent leg or tab 120 also defines the separate tabs or levers 121 and 123 that could be engaged by the person adjusting the position of the movable nut assemblies 92 and 94 to move the leg 120 out of engagement with the respective nuts 93 and 95 while remaining engaged with the circular disc members 99, respectively. Accordingly, the movable nut assemblies 92 and 94 can be adjusted with respect to their working positions along the axis 40a by rotating the locking member 110 from the position shown in Figure 7a to the position that is shown. shows in Figure 7b. In this way, either or both of the nut assemblies 92 and 94 could be adjusted for their positions along the screw shaft member 40a while the locking members 110 remain clutched with the disk-shaped protection members 99, so that they maintain their position, by means of which the optical protection parts 100 could be moved through the slots 64 formed in the respective optical switches 58 and 60. Accordingly, the respective nut members 93 and 95 could be rotated. to adjust their respective axial positions on the axis or the screw member 40a for a given position of a door connected to the door operator without requiring the rotation of the members 99. The operation of the modality described above and shown in the Figures 6-8 of the drawings is believed to be readily understood by a person skilled in the art based on the foregoing description. Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, wherein the movable nut members 93 and 95 are mounted on the shaft or screw member 40a and can be engaged through a member. of immobilization 110a, similar to the locking member 110 and can be mounted on the housing 42a in substantially the same way that the locking member 110 is mounted and, so that a flange 120a can be located in the slots 96 and 98 of the respective nuts 93 and 95 to prevent rotation of these members, although their linear translation movement along the axis or screw member 40a is allowed as it is rotated in the same manner described above for the mode that it is shown in Figures 6-8. Accordingly, the locking member 110a can be moved in and out of clutch with the respective nut members 93 and 95 allowing adjustment of the position of these members in the screw member 40a. In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the circuit board 44 is adapted to accommodate the separate and elongated support block members 130, each of which is provided with an elongated inverted T-shaped slot 132 which is formed therein, see Figure 10. The members 130 are adapted to support the respective optical protection members 134, each of which is provided with a support part in the form of almost T 136 which is adapted to be positioned slidably in the slots 132 of the respective support members 130. Each of the optical protection members 134 includes the respective optical protection portions 137 spaced apart from the support portions 136 and aligned with the respective optical switches 58 and 60 , as shown in Figure 9, for the interruption of a signal between the emitter and the sensor of each of the optical switches. Accordingly, the optical protection members 134 could operate in the same manner as the optical protection members 50a and 52a and the optical protection portions 100 of the members 99, respectively. The members 134 include the transverse flanges 138, respectively, which are located so that they can be engaged with the respective displaceable nuts 93 and 95 and that operate to move the optical protection parts 137 with respect to the switches 58 and 60 , respectively. The optical protection members 134 are deflected by the respective coil springs 140 located in the slots 132 of the members 130 in such a way that the optical protection parts 137 are normally in a position so as not to interrupt the signals between the emitters and the transmitters. sensors of the optical switches 58 and 60, respectively. However, when the displaceable nuts 93 and 95 are being moved in a direction to engage with the flanges 138 of the respective optical protection members 130, these members operate in the same manner as the displaceable nuts 50 and 52 and the movable nut assemblies 92 and 94, respectively. With further reference to Figures 9 and 10, although the optical protection parts 137, as illustrated in Figure 9, are normally configured so as not to interrupt the beams between the emitters and the sensors of the optical switches 58 and 60, respectively, the optical protection members 134 could be modified so that the optical protection parts 137 normally interrupt these beams in the so-called relaxed positions of the optical protection members 134. Accordingly, in this configuration, according to the nuts movable 93a and 95a engage the respective optical protection members, these could move the optical protection parts 137 to a position so that the beams of the switches 58 and 60 could be uninterrupted which is opposite to being interrupted when the positions are reached of the limit of the door. In this way, the signals would be generated to effect the power disconnection of the operator's motor in the respective limit positions of the door as a consequence of the radiation beams of the switches 58 and 60 being uninterrupted in the limit positions. . The manufacture of the respective embodiments of the invention which are shown and described, which include the control unit 43 and an operator comprising a rotating member, such as the screw members 40 or 40a, which rotate in synchronized relationship with the position of the door 10, could be carried out using conventional practices, components and materials known to those skilled in the art. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, those skilled in the art will also recognize that various substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A motorized operator that moves a door between the open and closed positions, characterized in that it comprises: a control unit that includes a movable member in synchronized relation with the position of the door, the control unit is operatively connected with a motor for the movement of the door between the open and closed positions and for the interruption of electrical energy to the motor when the door reaches the open and closed positions, respectively; a control circuit associated with the control unit; and an optical switch responsive to movement of the movable member that provides a signal to the control circuit for regulating the operation of the motor to prevent movement of the motor in one of the open and closed positions. The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the movable member comprises a rotary screw, which can be rotated in response to the movement of the door and a movable nut member along the screw. The door operator according to claim 2, characterized in that: the nut member can be operated to move the optical protection member in order to effect the operation of the optical switch. 4. The door operator according to claim 3, characterized by: the optical protection member is mounted on the nut member. The door operator according to claim 3, characterized in that: the optical protection member can be releasably engaged with the nut member. 6. The door operator according to claim 5, characterized by: the optical protection member is mounted on a circuit board for circuit control. The door operator according to claim 3, characterized in that: the nut member is engaged with an immobilization member to prevent rotation of the nut member while allowing the linear translation movement of the nut member in order to performing the optical interruption operation when the nut member reaches a predetermined position along the screw. The door operator according to claim 7, characterized in that: the nut member includes plural circumferentially spaced grooves which can be selectively engaged with the locking member for the location of the nut member in a predetermined position in the screw, and the optical protection member includes at least one slot for receiving a part of the clutch locking member with the optical protection member. The door operator according to claim 8, characterized in that: the immobilization member comprises a plate mounted for limited movement on a part of the operator between a first position engaged with the nut member and a second position disengaged from the member of nut although clutch with the optical protection member. The door operator according to claim 7, characterized in that: the separate nut members are mounted for linear movement on the screw and the operator includes the separate optical protection members located for their clutch with the nut members, in a respective manner, to effect the operation of the respective optical switches. The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the optical switch includes a support member that can be mounted on a circuit board, and a transmitter and a sensor mounted separately on the support member and positioned to allowing movement of the optical protection member between them in response to movement of the movable member. 1

2. The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control unit includes two optical switches mounted separately on a circuit board and that can cooperate with the respective movable optical protection members in response to the displacement of the respective movable members to effect the operation of the controller for the purpose of disconnecting the electrical energy to the motor when the door reaches a closed position and an open position, respectively. The door operator according to claim 12, characterized in that: the control unit includes a microcontroller that can be operated to receive the signals from the optical switches, respectively, to effect the control of the motor in order to disconnect it in response to these signals. 1 . The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes: a door edge sensor that can be operated to provide a signal to the control unit causing at least one of the stop and reversal of the motor, and the optical switch it may be operated to provide a signal to the control unit to ignore the signal from the edge sensor when the door has reached a predetermined position with respect to the closed limit position of the door. The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control unit includes a controller sensitive to the signal of the optical switch that indicates the position of the door in proximity with the closed position for the operation of the motor during a predetermined period of time to move the door to the closed position. The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that: the control unit includes a controller responsive to a variable signal of the optical switch indicating the position of the door in proximity to the closed position and, in a first signal By default of the optical switch, the control unit can be operated to ignore the signal of the obstruction sensor associated with the door and at a second predetermined signal of the optical switch, the control unit can be operated to disconnect the motor. The door operator according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes: a temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature in proximity to the optical switch in order to provide a compensation signal associated with a signal output of the optical switch for compensate for variations in ambient temperature that affect the signals of the optical switch. 18. A motorized operator that moves a barrier between the open and closed positions, characterized in that it comprises: a control unit that includes a threaded member capable of being rotated in synchronized relation with the position of the barrier, the control unit is connected in operative form with a motor for the movement of the barrier between the open and closed positions and for the interruption of the electrical energy to the motor when the barrier reaches the open and closed positions, respectively; a controller associated with the control unit; separate optical switches sensitive to the movement of the threaded member that provide the signals to the controller to regulate the operation of the motor to prevent movement of the barrier in the open and closed positions, respectively; and separate nut members that can move in a linear direction along the threaded member and that can operate to cause the respective optical protection members to operate the optical switches, respectively, to provide the output signals to the switch when the nut members reach the respective limit positions that correspond to the open and closed positions of the barrier. The operator according to claim 18, characterized in that: the control unit includes a microcontroller that can be operated to receive the signals from the optical switches, respectively, to effect the regulation of the motor in order to disconnect it in response to these signals. The operator according to claim 18, characterized in that it includes: a barrier edge sensor that can be operated to provide a signal to the control unit causing at least one of the stopping and reversing of the motor and one of the switches The optic is operated in order to provide a signal to the control unit to ignore the signal coming from the edge sensor when the barrier has reached a predetermined position with respect to the closed limit position of the barrier. The operator according to claim 20, characterized in that: the control unit includes a microcontroller responsive to a variable signal of an optical switch indicating the position of the barrier in proximity to the closed position and in a predetermined signal of a Optical switch The control unit can be operated to ignore the edge sensor signal. The operator according to claim 18, characterized in that it includes: a temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature in proximity to the optical switches in order to provide a compensation signal associated with the signal outputs of the optical switches to compensate the variations of the ambient temperature. 2

3. A motorized operator that moves a barrier between the open and closed positions, characterized in that it comprises: a control unit that includes a threaded member capable of being rotated in synchronized relation with the position of the barrier, the control unit is connected in operative form with a motor for the movement of the barrier between the open and closed positions and for the interruption of the electrical energy to the motor when the barrier reaches the open and closed positions, respectively; a microcontroller associated with the control unit; a circuit card; separate optical switches mounted on the circuit board and sensitive to the movement of the threaded member to provide signals to the microcontroller that regulates the operation of the motor in order to prevent movement of the barrier in the open and closed positions, respectively; separate nut members that can move in a linear direction along the threaded member and that can operate to move the respective optical protection members with respect to the optical switches, respectively, for the supply of the switch output signals when the nut members reach the respective limit positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the barrier; a barrier edge sensor that can be operated to provide a signal to the microcontroller causing at least one of the stopping and reversing of the motor, and one of the optical switches can be operated in order to provide a signal to the microcontroller to ignore the signal of the edge sensor when the barrier has reached a predetermined position with respect to a closed limit position of the barrier. 2

4. The operator according to claim 23, characterized in that: the microcontroller is sensitive to a variable voltage signal of the optical switch that indicates the position of the barrier in proximity to the closed position and in a predetermined voltage signal of an optical switch the control unit can be operated to ignore the signal that comes from the edge sensor. The operator according to claim 23, characterized in that: a temperature sensor that detects the ambient temperature in proximity to the optical switches provides a compensation signal associated with the signal outputs that come from the optical switches in order to compensate the variations in the ambient temperature. 26. The door operator according to claim 23, characterized in that: the optical protection members are mounted removably on the nut members, respectively, and include parts that form an optical protection and also parts that can be clutched with an immobilization member to prevent rotation of the optical protection members. 27. The door operator according to claim 26, characterized in that: the nut members include plural circumferentially spaced grooves that can be selectively engaged with the locking member for the location of the nut members in predetermined positions in the threaded member and the optical protection members include at least one slot for receiving a part of the clutch locking member with the optical protection members, respectively. The door operator according to claim 26, characterized in that: the locking member comprises a mounted plate that moves on a part of the operator and can move between a first engaged position with the nut members and a second disengaged position of the nut member but engaged with the optical protection members, respectively. 29. The door operator according to claim 23, characterized in that: the optical protection members are mounted to move on the circuit board in response to the clutch of the nut members, respectively.